Diabetes Congress Day 1

So it’s been a busy time here in Adelaide. As part of #DApeoplesvoice at the Australasian Diabetes Congress #18adc I’ve been to two product launches, presented at a symposium on co-design and tweeted my heart out at a full day of sessions and it’s only the first day!

So a few of the major things from day 1:

The tslim pump has launched in Australia (more on this later) but suffice to say it has all the features but a really small size. It looks set to be very popular. I put my money on Frank Sita being one of the first to switch over!

After tackling low carb I guess they decided “in for a penny in for a pound” and have tackled DIY diabetes tech as well. It’s refreshing to see that there is a patient focused approach in which the main point is that health care professionals shouldn’t abandon patients who are using this tech.

Some interesting sessions on hypos. There seems to be generalised agreement that the correlation between low a1c and severe hypos observed in the DCCT is no longer relevant. New insulins, new tech enable improved a1cs and reduced hypos.

Its a slow burn to get the voices of people with diabetes into the conversation. I think this year is a little easier than last year. The co-design symposium at which Renza, Frank and I presented got some really positive responses, thanks to Renza and Kirsty Bell for organising this.

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One thought on “Diabetes Congress Day 1”

It’s really great to see such tech support for people living with T1D and the tech support we have now. compared to when I was a kid. But really important for me is when will these symposiums be cranking up the volume about ending this intrusive disease for once and for all. When I was diagnosed at 12 years old, the future looked bright for a cure in my 30’s. I’m now in my mid 50s and I have all the calssic complications, and I would like to know of some sort of a cure in my lifetime! It’s all good and well for Big Pharma to spend loads on Research and Development, but when will they spend on research for a cure? The answer is cynical but true, NEVER! Because they make too much money out of us living with the disease! And I have given up trying to advocate for a cure (something I used to do all the time)! It’s too depressing! Gina.